"What other reason could there be? It's simply because you're related to this slut and deliberately protecting her!" You Wanwan said, her face tense, cutting in before Emperor Wei Jing could speak.

She glanced at Yu Qingwu, and sneered, "Who knows, maybe you were the one who gave her the idea to commit adultery! An illegitimate daughter and a merchant's daughter, neither of you are good for anything..."

"The Eldest Imperial Sister-in-Law comes from a good family, yet she still has 'slut' and 'bitch' hanging from her lips all day."

You Wanwan was in the middle of her tirade when Xie Jin'an, who was standing next to Yu Qingwu, suddenly spoke.

Beneath his handsome face, his deep eyes held a trace of mockery as he swept his gaze over You Wanwan, as if looking at a clown, and coldly snorted, "Some people come from poor backgrounds, yet they are clean, while others come from good backgrounds, yet they are dirty from head to toe."

When it came to cursing people, no one could outdo Xie Jin'an.

You Wanwan's face instantly turned as red as a pig's liver, and she glared at Xie Jin'an, wanting to retort, but she couldn't say a word. In the end, she unwillingly suppressed the anger in her heart, looked up at Emperor Wei Jing, and said, "Father Emperor, I absolutely cannot share a husband with Qiu Kui. If Qiu Kui enters the door, I will divorce the Eldest Imperial Prince!"

You Wanwan raised her head, her eyes filled with tears and anger, her words carrying a strong sense of threat.

Emperor Wei Jing leaned back against the low table, staring at You Wanwan with a gloomy expression for a moment, and coldly laughed, "Eldest Son's Wife, are you threatening me?"

Emperor Wei Jing's voice was not loud, and his face was devoid of any expression.

It was completely different from the fiery rage he had displayed when scolding Xie Qiyun.

But the calmer he was, the more frightening he became.

Consort Liu had served Emperor Wei Jing for many years and knew his temperament very well. Seeing his expression, her face immediately turned pale, and she hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, Wanwan definitely doesn't mean that. Wanwan is just anxious."

"After all, Qiu Kui's background is indeed not very honorable, and now this kind of thing has happened. If she really enters Qiyun's household, not only will Qiyun be laughed at, but I'm afraid the entire imperial family will be ridiculed. Wanwan is just afraid that people will use this to criticize the royal family in the future..."

Consort Liu wore a forced smile on her face, timidly trying to smooth things over for You Wanwan.

You Wanwan was brought back to her senses by Consort Liu's words, and her face also turned pale. She said, "Father Emperor, Mother Consort is right. I am also afraid that the imperial family will lose face. I was just so anxious that I said such absurd things. I would never dare to threaten Father Emperor."

As she spoke, You Wanwan hurriedly knelt down on the ground again. The arrogant and presumptuous look she had just had was now replaced with fear and trepidation.

Emperor Wei Jing coldly snorted, ignoring her, and instead turned his gaze to Yu Qingwu, coldly saying, "Consort Yu, you said earlier that you had an important reason for suggesting that the Eldest Son take Qiu as a concubine. What is the reason? Tell me."

A moment ago, Emperor Wei Jing had wanted to directly refuse Yu Qingwu, but because of You Wanwan's fuss, he had become dissatisfied with the You family, feeling that they were too arrogant and that it was time to teach them a lesson.

Yu Qingwu naturally saw through his thoughts, and she smiled, taking advantage of the situation to climb higher, saying, "Father Emperor, I am also doing this for the sake of the royal family's reputation."

"As I said before, the matter between Aunt Qiu and the Eldest Imperial Brother has already been seen by many officials' families today. Even if we try to cover it up, we can only cover it up on the surface, but we can't stop the gossip in private."

"Instead of letting people criticize our royal family for pushing the blame onto a weak woman in order to protect our reputation, it would be better for... Your Majesty to personally grant a marriage to the Eldest Imperial Brother and Aunt Qiu, and tell the outside world that Aunt Qiu entered the palace to discuss marriage with the Eldest Imperial Brother. However, because that old woman, Lu, was not proper and wanted to steal some imperial wine from the palace to drink and make merry with her old man, the Eldest Imperial Brother and Qiu Kui accidentally drank it, which led to this scandal. The Eldest Imperial Brother and Aunt Qiu are both victims."

Yu Qingwu curled her lips, her tone peaceful.

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the hall became much more harmonious.

Consort Liu even showed a smile and said to Emperor Wei Jing, "Your Majesty, I think Consort Yu is right. In the end, today's scandal was caused by Lu. Why don't we just expel her from the palace?"

Consort Liu's eyes sparkled, and her expression couldn't help but relax slightly.

If it was handled this way, not only would her maid, Lu, be able to save her life, but in order to completely cover it up, she and her son would not be punished. This was the best possible outcome for her.

This outcome was also the best for Qiu Shiyi Niang and Xie Qiyun.

Only You Wanwan felt that this was a great humiliation.

She clenched her teeth, her lips trembling from excessive anger.

Her scarlet eyes glared at Yu Qingwu, and You Wanwan hurriedly interrupted Consort Liu, saying to Emperor Wei Jing, "Father Emperor, I think this is inappropriate. Where will the dignity of the royal family be placed if we handle it this way?"

"Eldest Imperial Sister-in-Law, dignity is certainly important, but the hearts of the people are even more important." Yu Qingwu raised her eyes, gently looked at Emperor Wei Jing, and said, "Father Emperor, although women should not interfere in politics, I must be so bold as to say a word at this moment. If Father Emperor wants to punish me after I finish speaking, I am willing to accept it."

The way she said these words was like Wei Zheng offering advice to Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Emperor Wei Jing had long been swayed by Yu Qingwu's words.

He had just been unwilling to agree because of his own reputation.

Now, seeing Yu Qingwu's 'loyal minister' demeanor, he waved his hand, feigning a thoughtful expression, and solemnly said, "Fifth Son's Wife, get up and speak."

"I thank Father Emperor for his grace." Yu Qingwu slowly stood up.

She stood upright to the side, glanced at You Wanwan, who looked angry, and then looked at Qiu Shiyi Niang, who was kneeling on the ground, and sighed, "Father Emperor, although Aunt Qiu has done something so disgraceful, she is, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Qiu family, and the apple of Qiu Hou's eye. Although Qiu Hou's achievements are not as great as General You's, his reputation among the people is excellent. If the royal family forces his legitimate daughter to death in order to protect its reputation, it will inevitably make the people feel disheartened, and it will also make the officials in the court feel disheartened. But if Father Emperor personally grants a marriage, fulfilling this pair of star-crossed lovers, Aunt Qiu and the Eldest Imperial Brother..."

"It will show that you are generous, a person who facilitates good deeds, and cares for the people like your own children."

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, I think Consort Yu is right..."

"Furthermore, I believe that although we should grant a marriage, we should also severely punish the Eldest Imperial Brother as a warning to others, to remind all the imperial princes, and to let everyone know how Your Majesty is strict with himself and lenient with others."

Strict with himself and lenient with others.

"Good! Well said!" These eight words almost struck Emperor Wei Jing's heart. He laughed loudly, and the face that had been covered with dark clouds just now suddenly cleared, and he praised Yu Qingwu loudly, "Fifth Son's Wife, if you were a man, the court would definitely have one more capable minister."

"Father Emperor is joking. A'wu is just a woman in the inner palace, how can she bear such a heavy responsibility?" As soon as Emperor Wei Jing finished speaking, Xie Jin'an immediately interjected, and then smiled and stepped forward, supporting Emperor Wei Jing and said, "But Father Emperor, if you are willing to reward her, I would like to ask for something for A'wu."